Sexuality

A woman with blond hair and a white coat stands in from of a background coated in foggy textures of orange, white and pink. The background is dotted with orange stars, and to the woman's right hangs a speech bubble, containing letters that look scribbled in pencil-mark black, except for the bottom word, which is boldly highlighted in the colors of the background.

If Someone Says She’s a Lesbian, She’s a Lesbian

Archie Wagner, University of Iowa

Audiences doubt lesbian identification, often venturing into harsh scrutinization of individuals’ dating lives.…

May 7, 2024

Three people stand against a backdrop of the open sky, dressed in black graduation gowns. The audience can clearly see their hair -- short and curly in buns on the far left, brown-blonde in the center, black and braided at the right -- and their caps, festooned with various pride flags representing different identities, such as trans or nonbinary.

Why College is the Perfect Time to Experiment with Gender

Archie Wagner, University of Iowa

College is the perfect time for gender experimentation thanks to all of the resources and opportunities it provides.…

February 26, 2024

The Asexuality Spectrum and Its Wide Range of Identities

Tori Walz, Eastern Michigan University

The people who fall under the ‘+’ part of LGBTQ+ are often forgotten, and as a result, people may struggle to find the word they need to describe a core part of who they are.…

December 15, 2021

A woman in a mirror while being photographed for an article on My Body

In ‘My Body,’ Emily Ratajkowski Embodies Intelligence and Healing

Rory Conlon, De Anza College

In this model's debut memoir, she wrestles with the complications of her profession, her self-image and her personal traumas.…

December 4, 2021

Teyana Taylor Being Crowned ‘Sexiest Woman Alive’ Has Received Mixed Reactions

L.R. Staples, Sarah Lawrence College

In an age when Black women's sexuality continues to be taken from them, so-called 'Hot Lists' like Maxim's 'Hot 100' ought to be scrutinized more than ever.…

June 20, 2021

A photo of Eric Effiong from Sex Education for an article about gender nonconforming individuals. (Image via Google Images)

‘Sex Education’ Accurately Portrays the Battles of Gender Nonconformers

Alexa Katherine Will, University of Pittsburgh

Despite the stark violence and discrimination that exists in the television industry, Netflix champions Eric Effiong and the intersection of his ethnicity, race and sexuality in largely positive ways.…

March 22, 2021

The Toxicity of Purity Culture Persists in Both Evangelical and South Asian Communities

Kirtika Sharad, George Washington University

The belief that women’s sexuality needs to be policed has fallen out of favor in recent years, but in some quarters, the idea still endures.…

March 13, 2021

‘Teenager Therapy’ Is an Emotional Ride Full of Joys and Tears

Benjamin Chen, Columbia University

This relatable podcast is the perfect listen for young adults searching for a bit of peer guidance and support.…

December 15, 2020

"Wordslut" and language. (Illustration by Mel Quagrainie, Columbia College Chicago)

‘Wordslut’ Teaches Us How We Can Change the World Through Language

Sarah Gudenau, Oakland University

Amanda Montell’s 2019 book examines how adjusting the words that we use can alter how gender and sexuality are considered in today's society — for the better.…

October 10, 2020

Men Should Stop Criticizing Women’s Sexual Expression in ‘WAP’

Emily Jewett, University of San Diego

Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s collab isn’t as scandalous as the internet wants you to believe.…

August 21, 2020

In a list of LGBTQ+ movies, a photo from Portrait of a Lady on Fire

Three Great LGBTQ+ Movies with Quality Queer Representation

Katherine Brand, University of Michigan

Looking for well-developed LGBTQ+ characters without the same overused tropes? Check out these films for a fulfilling viewing experience.…

August 21, 2020

A drawing of Natalie Portman's character from the film 'The Black Swan'

Should ‘Black Swan’ Be Part of the Criterion Collection?

Chase Cutarelli, Columbia University

Aronofsky’s dance-thriller turns 10 in September, making it the perfect time to reflect on why it deserves recognition as an important contemporary film.…

August 3, 2020

James Sweeney’s ‘Straight Up’ Delves Into the Intricacies of Heteronormativity and Sexual Practices

Luke Gair, Sewanee: The University of the South

A gay man repulsed by bodily functions and a struggling actress decide to enter a relationship. What could possibly go wrong?…

July 23, 2020

Characters from Love, Victor standing in a crowd

‘Love, Victor’ Is a Triumph of Queer Representation

Emma Smith, Wesleyan University

Hulu's 'Love, Simon' spin-off, with its complex story about sexuality and understanding oneself, is just what the teenage high school television canon needs.…

July 3, 2020